One of the genetic factors associated with the development of alopecia areata (AA) is the HLA locus. The study comprised 52 patients with AA aged 10 to 64 years. The frequences of HLA-DRB alleles in the patients and controls were compared. The control group comprised 152 healthy persons. Familial occurrence of AA was seen in 7 (13.5%) cases. A significantly lower frequency of HLA-DRB1*03 was ob...

Alopecia areata is considered to be a cell-mediated autoimmune disease, in which autoreactive cytotoxic T cells recognize melanocyte-associated proteins such as tyrosinase. This review discusses recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, focusing on immunobiology and hormonal aspects of hair follicles (HFs). The HF is a unique "miniorgan" with its own immune an...

The problems of mental disorders and psychological aspects in the condition referred to as alopecia areata in the Polish context are not well researched yet. The objective of our analyses is to present the results of the review of literature devoted to the occurrence of mental disorders and the participation of psychological factors in the aetiology of alopecia areata. Preparing the review of t...

The exact etiology of alopecia areata is still unknown, and no completely effective treatment has been established. The use of oral steroids for treating this disorder is controversial and may have potential side effects. Relapses are also common upon withdrawal of the medication. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic and side effects of pulse-therapy with methylprednisolo...

OBJECTIVE To determine the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. DESIGN Relapse of alopecia areata was induced in autologous human scalp grafts on Prkdc(scid) mice by injection of activated T lymphocytes derived from lesional skin. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were separated by magnetic beads before injection. SETTING University-based dermatology practice. P...

Alopecia areata is a prevalent autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. It usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis). The scalp is the most commonly affected area, but the beard or any hair-bearing sit...

Many lessons in autoimmunity - particularly relating to the role of immune privilege and the interplay between genetics and neuroimmunology - can be learned from the study of alopecia areata, the most common cause of inflammation-induced hair loss. Alopecia areata is now understood to represent an organ-restricted, T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of hair follicles. Disease induction is assoc...

BACKGROUND Immune responses are largely regulated by cytokines that are secreted by activated T cells. Interactions among these cells are complex, and the interaction between 2 responses may alter the effect of either response alone. It has been established that contact sensitization-induced inflammation can reverse hair loss due to alopecia areata. In parallel, the Renbök phenomenon demonstrat...

Background: Alopecia areata is a patchy hair loss that may occur in any hair bearing area on the body. There are many reports of ocular abnormalities such as lens and retinal changes in alopecia areata. Objective: To evaluate ocular alterations in alopecia areata with regard to the lens and retina. Patients & Methods: Seventy three patients with alopecia areata including 34 males and 39 f...

The topical immunotherapy is used to treat alopecia areata and recalcitrant warts since the 1970s. Diphencyprone is a contact sensitizer used to treat dermatological conditions resulting from as altered immunological state, such as extensive alopecia areata, being partially effective and safe. Side effects include local eczema with blistering, regional lymphadenopathy and contact urticaria. Rar...